Senior Bowl winners by position: Which 2026 NFL Draft picks impressed scouts this week?

MOBILE, Ala. — The Senior Bowl brings an eclectic group of people together to watch NFL prospects audition for the next level. At one point during this week’s practice, I was on the sideline with Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer to my right, a Dallas Cowboys scout to my left and Philadelphia Eagles security chief “Big Dom” just behind me.

Each of us likely had our attention focused on different players and positions, which is why the Senior Bowl (Saturday, 2:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network) is such a valuable event for evaluating players.

Choosing NFL Draft “winners” from Senior Bowl week isn’t necessarily about who will be drafted first, but rather about who stood out the most (in a positive way) at each respective position. Some were tough choices; others were as obvious as me making a return trip to Meat Boss next time I’m in Mobile.

Quarterback: Garrett Nussmeier, LSU

This was one of the easier choices to make — Nussmeier was the most consistent of the group, while the other quarterbacks mostly underwhelmed. Scouts were looking forward to seeing a healthy Nussmeier in Mobile, and he didn’t disappoint.

Playing in live game action for the first time in almost three months, Nussmeier quickly knocked off the rust and showed his NFL-quality arm and decision-making. His ball placement during one-on-one periods between wide receivers and cornerbacks was far more consistent than that of the other quarterbacks, and his anticipation jumped out during team drills. He performed with a level of command and poise that will serve him well in the NFL.

Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia had some nice moments early, but he struggled with timing, especially on downfield throws. I don’t think he moved the needle in either direction — what you thought of him coming into the week is how you likely feel about him now. North Dakota State’s Cole Payton and Illinois’ Luke Altmyer both started rough and showed some progress by the third day of the event. All three QBs are considered potential late-round draft picks.

Arkansas’ Taylen Green was a tad too eager to drop his eyes and run with the football during practice, but he uncorked some moon shots during the week that showed off his arm. He will be an interesting Day 3 (Rounds 4-7) developmental option for a team.

Running back: Jadyn Ott, Oklahoma

It can be tough for running backs to make statements during Senior Bowl practices, but pass-pro blocking drills pitting running backs against linebackers give scouts some of the best action all week. And that is where Ott impressed.

Despite being only 202 pounds, he did a great job planting his anchor, leveraging his attack and keeping his hands inside the defender. Ott can ride the bull and live to tell about it.

However, scouts aren’t sure what to make of Ott’s college career.

After productive freshman and sophomore seasons at Cal, he battled injuries the last two years and barely saw the field for Oklahoma in 2025. A late invitation to the Senior Bowl presented an opportunity, and Ott took advantage of it.

Arkansas’ Mike Washington Jr. and Indiana’s Kaelon Black also did a nice job blocking and catching the football.

Wide receiver: Malachi Fields, Notre Dame

Not only did Fields have the play of the week, but he was also the most impressive receiver during practices. He frequently gained a step of separation using his short-area quickness and route-running skills. He also showed ownership at the catch point. Fields proved he could win vertically or when stemming at the top of routes.

Fields entered the week as the favorite to be the first Senior Bowl receiver drafted and did nothing to hurt those chances.

There were several runners-up at this position. Missouri’s Kevin Coleman frequently found space and seemingly caught everything thrown his way, regardless of the placement. He is a savvy, athletic pass catcher who will find a role in the NFL.

Baylor’s Josh Cameron did a great job downfield and when finishing grabs through contact. He knows how to use his 225-pound frame, and his focus doesn’t wane in traffic. Georgia State’s Ted Hurst made several highlight-reel grabs, warranting the immense intrigue in his game from scouts.

Division III standout Tyren Montgomery from John Carroll had a few drops on the final day of practice, but he turned heads throughout the week. He was the biggest “winner” of all the non-FBS prospects.

Tight end: Nate Boerkircher, Texas A&M

In his six college seasons (five at Nebraska plus the 2025 season with the Aggies), Boerkircher never topped 200 receiving yards. However, that is more an indictment of the offenses he played for than of him. At 6 foot 5 and almost 247 pounds, Boerkircher snapped off routes all week and did a great job catching the ball through contact. His success as a pass catcher this week, combined with his blocking highlights from last season, means he will be a popular mid-round target.

I also want to shout out Houston’s Tanner Koziol, who uses his size (6-6 1/2 with 34 1/8-inch arms) to his advantage. He did a nice job throughout the week, culminating with a Y flag route run to perfection from snug (slot) alignment during red-zone team drills for a touchdown.

Offensive tackle: Max Iheanachor, Arizona State

Many of the offensive tackles struggled, but Iheanachor was the most consistent of the group in one-on-ones, showing off his big-man balance and body quickness — especially impressive for a 325-pounder. He sometimes showed his youth, primarily in his undisciplined hands, which let rushers get into his chest or across his face when he mistimed his punch. But that was to be expected, considering his inexperience.

Iheanachor made my top 50 in August before the season, and even though he will require a patient NFL coaching staff (and maybe even a “redshirt” year), he has a chance to get into the second round.

Interior offensive line: Jalen Farmer, Kentucky

Like the offensive tackle position, this group collectively struggled throughout the week. However, Farmer grabbed my eye more than a few times. The Florida transfer moves well for his size (6-5, 322, almost 35-inch arms) and can halt power when he drops anchor. He’s interesting.

Florida center Jake Slaughter had his share of wins during practices, too, and you could see his veteran recovery skills even when he was caught in a compromised position. I also thought Miami center James Brockermeyer turned heads and helped himself.

A pair of college tackles, Iowa’s Gennings Dunker and Washington’s Carver Willis, flashed when lined up on the interior, which is where they’re projected to be in the NFL.

Edge rusher: Zion Young, Missouri

This was a competitive category — and a loaded group.

Michigan’s Derrick Moore had wins each day of practice, showing off his physicality and quickness. Clemson’s T.J. Parker did a terrific job leveraging his rush to overwhelm blockers, especially with his patented long-arm move. Western Michigan’s Nadame Tucker brought the most juice of the group and showed why he will earn an NFL paycheck as a designated pass rusher. Illinois’ Gabe Jacas, Auburn’s Keyron Crawford and Texas Tech’s Romello Height also had multiple impressive reps.

But I’m giving the edge to Young, who made his presence known in both one-on-ones and team drills. Though he won’t stand out with his cornering speed, his violence at the point of attack and rangy presence consistently popped. Young had a silky cross-chop that created a rush lane to the quarterback during the team period, and it will stick with me.

Defensive tackle: Rayshaun Benny, Michigan

It was hard not to go with Florida’s Caleb Banks here. He got better with each practice and will be in the mix to be the first defensive tackle drafted because of his rare size and ability.

However, Benny was consistently impactful each day, showing both quickness and power to defeat blocks in different ways. More specifically, his ability to run through gaps and his long arms will help him make an impact right away in the NFL.

This was another crowded field. Oklahoma’s Gracen Halton, Arkansas’ Cameron Ball, South Carolina’s Nick Barrett, Missouri’s Chris McClellan, Florida State’s Darrell Jackson and Texas Tech’s Lee Hunter also deserve to be mentioned.

Linebacker: Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh

Senior Bowl practices are set up well to accentuate Louis’ strengths as a player, and he didn’t disappoint. He has a nose for the ball and the speed to drive on plays to be disruptive. Aside from his athleticism and anticipation, everyone in the stadium felt the energy he brought on every rep.

My major questions are about his size (224 pounds) and his ability to take on blocks and work through contact in the NFL, the latter of which we don’t see in practice reps. But he did answer some of my other questions about his coverage. He didn’t have many man-coverage reps on his Pitt film, but he looked comfortable during drills, mirroring and making athletic adjustments to make plays. I lost count of the number of pass breakups he had throughout the week.

This was yet another deep group. Just like at Texas Tech, Jacob Rodriguez was a tractor beam to the football and constantly made plays on the ball. Arkansas’ Xavian Sorey and Oregon’s Bryce Boettcher helped themselves, as well.

Cornerback: Chris Johnson, San Diego State

I’m trying to separate any bias because Johnson was one of my favorite players entering Senior Bowl week. Still, he earned this spot with his ability to connect himself to routes and establish leverage to make plays on the ball. Although I don’t think he has elite speed, he was plenty fast enough during drills, showing burst to recover deep and the fluidity to settle and redirect with routes.

Duke’s Chandler Rivers (5-9, 185) is undersized, but his compete skills are a joy to watch. Ohio State’s Davison Igbinosun won’t be for everyone because of his handsy play style, but he has the length and speed that will speak directly to several teams.

Safety: Bud Clark, TCU

Clark consistently showed off his range during practices. He picked off multiple passes, including an interception during the team period on Day 3 that felt like an exclamation point on his week. He first came on my radar with his pick six against Michigan in the 2022 College Football Playoff, and those playmaking instincts were still on display in Mobile.

Kansas State’s VJ Payne and Penn State’s Zakee Wheatley also deserve honorable mentions.